Category: Ciara McCormack

Speaking ahead of the referendum this Friday, Ciara McCormack, Tipperary Sinn Féin’s General Election Candidate said the following:

“The referendum on the 8th Amendment has been a trying and, at times, polarizing campaign. Nonetheless, the difficulties and problems pertaining to the 8th needed to be addressed, having been swept under the carpet for too long.”

“Sinn Féin’s position is clear: the 8th Amendment must go. The constitution is no place to legislate for the intricacies of individual medical cases.”

“We need to ensure compassion and care for those dealing with fatal foetal abnormalities, incest or rape; not have them exiled to Liverpool, as is the status quo. We can’t continue dehumanizing these women, excusing the lack of care available by reducing them to “a small percentage” every Irish woman must have the best health care available to them, especially when at their most vulnerable.”

“The coercion of the 8th Amendment doesn’t work, it is harmful to women. Women’s health can no longer be allowed to decline to the point of no return, where a woman must be classified as dying before appropriate medical interventions can be applied to satisfy the 8th. No longer can our women can be forced under court order to undergo invasive medical procedures against their will. Our women must no longer be reduced to “vessels” in pregnancy.”

“Women must have the right to actively participate and have a voice in their medical care.”

“Between 2012 and 2016, at least 403 women from Tipperary travelled to Britain for an abortion.”

“If we vote No and retain the 8th Amendment these problems will remain. Women will continue to travel abroad; abortion pills will still be readily available; abortion still dangerously non-regulated.”

“The uncertainties of Brexit will risk a whole section of our society left without compassionate healthcare.”

“We must end the criminalization, shaming and exile of our Women.”

“This is why I’m asking you to show solidarity with the women of Ireland, on May 25th vote Yes.”

A Sinn Féin Amendment to ban the commercial exploitation of children’s data has passed in the Dáil today.

The amendment, that was supported by organisations such as the Irish Heart Foundation, was moved by Sinn Féin will see children protected from direct marketing, profiling and data harvesting.

Speaking of this today, McCormack said: “The purpose of the amendment is to restrict the profiling, harvesting, and targeting of children by companies who advertise on social media. This is, I believe, a very important measure to introduce if we truly are to protect children from harmful marketing online.

“Currently, young people are very much exposed to data profiling and targeting, by commercial organisations and businesses. That is something that needs to be tackled, there are very serious risks in this regard, particularly when targeting harmful goods or products, or pushing an agenda which is harmful, such as making young people excessively conscious of their appearance and body.

Ciara McCormack with David Cullinane TD

“Many children will not be aware how their actions online influence the adverts that they see, and will not be aware of the extent to which their data is being gathered, the profile that is being built up on them and the way it is being used to exploit them.

“I do not believe that the capacity for such marketing should supersede the best interests of a child, such as for example in health, given that without the amendment data can be processed and profiled to directly target children online in a very sophisticated way, and this in a country that is set to be one of the most obese in Europe by 2030.

“It is important as legislators we do our utmost to protect children from harm online, and I very much welcome that the Dáil has taken a massive step towards doing exactly that.”

ENDS

Note: The amendment as passed reads:

“Micro-targeting and profiling of children

30. It shall be an offence under this Act for any company or corporate body to process the personal data of a child as defined by section 29 for the purposes of direct marketing, profiling or micro-targeting. Such an offence shall be punishable by an administrative fine under section 140.”

Sinn Féin General Election candidate Ciara McCormack has welcomed the Sinn Féin Dáil motion which calls on the government to legislate for mandatory open disclosure in the HSE.

McCormack also said there are further questions to answer in relation to the cervical check scandal and that the process of accountability needs to continue as more information comes into the public domain.

Speaking in advance of a candle lit vigil held to show support for the women of Ireland who have been let down by the HSE, McCormack said:

“Since the scandal of Cervical Check broke Sinn Féin has advocated for supports for the women and families affected and set out the steps needed to rebuild confidence in the cancer detection process and health care service in general.

“Central to this is accountability and disclosure.

“The government had refused to hold the director general of the HSE to account and failed to introduce mandatory disclosure.

“We have consistently called for those responsible to be held to account. This process must continue as more information becomes publicity available. There is a role in this for the scoping inquiry established by the government and by the Oireachtas Health and Public Accounts Committees which will meet next week.

“As Health Minister, Leo Varadkar promised to introduce mandatory disclosure but, following advice from the Chief Medical Officer, he decided not to proceed. That was the wrong advice and the wrong decision in 2016 and women affected by the cervical check scandal are paying the cost of that decision. We now know that the chief medical officer was informed of the cervical check scandal in 2016.

“We need to know the nature of the advice given by the Chief Medical Officer to the then Health Minister, Leo Varadkar and we need to know if it informed by knowledge of the Cervical Check scandals or any other medical scandal.

“Given the failure by governments to introduce mandatory disclosure Sinn Féin will bring forward a Dáil motion, calling on the government to legislate for this before the summer recess. We expect all party and government support for this motion and have a bill in draft form that we will share with the government.

“The government must do right by the women and families affected and they must do right by future generations. The health care system cannot move from one scandal to the next. It is time to put it right. It is time for accountability and mandatory disclosure in the Health Care System is a crucial part of it.”

Sinn Féin candidate in Tipperary Ciara McCormack has welcomed the Minister for Education’s proposed amendments to the School Admissions Bill.

Speaking today Ciara said: “The school admissions bill has been languishing in Leinster House for a very long time now so the news that the Minister has announced today is very welcome to us.

“In particular, I welcome the amendment which proposes to award the Minister the power to compel schools to open specialised classes within mainstream schools.

Ciara McCormack speaks to TippFM, along with Cllr Martin Browne.

“There is a chronic shortage of places available in Tipperary for children with specialised needs within mainstream schools.

“Some children are travelling up to an hour and a half each way to attend a school which has a class to cater for their needs and the current legislation allows schools to refuse to open a specialised class regardless of need and where funding is available.

“This puts parents under extreme pressure, if their child falls ill or needs collection they must travel to collect their child, siblings are often separated and therapies such as speech and language or occupational therapy are not available if the child attending the unit does not come under the care of the HSE Community Health Organisation in that area.

“The legislation as it is currently is not fit for purpose and creates unnecessary and unfair difficulties for parents.

“Parents should not have to baptise their child simply to secure a school place – something which frequently happens at the moment as children can be refused a place based on religious criteria in primary schools.

“I would like to see these amendments and subsequently the bill receiving the support of both houses of the Oireachtas and the legislation implemented in full without delay.”

Photographs from Glengoole (New Birmingham) from last Saturday 25th November, 2017. These show members of the Tommy Kavanagh Cumann, Sinn Féin from The Commons Gortnahoe.

Also present are Councillor Davy Dunne and Dick and Willie O’Shea. Simply put, DIck and Willie are Republicans of long standing.

Cllr Dunne laid a wreath on the grave of Thomas O’Donovan, killed by the much reviled Black and Tans in 1920, while fighting against Great Britain for the sovereign Republic of Éire.

The Republic of Ireland is not the successor of the sovereign Republic of Éire, as would be known to older Republicans like Dick and Willie. They were delighted to attend the commemoration of one who died for that sovereign Republic, and to be present when Councillor Dunne laid a wreath of respect for Thomas O’Donovan.

Cllr Martin Browne of Sinn Féin Tipperary has welcomed Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada to County Tipperary to talk with representatives of the Angling community. Following her visit, MEP Ní Riada has said that the potential of the River Suir to support the development of angling tourism has yet to be fully realised. She made the comments following a visit to Golden this week.

Liadh Ní Riada said: “Golden is a beautiful village in an area of outstanding scenery. Its location close to Cashel and its proximity to the main Dublin – Cork motorway mean that it is accessible for domestic and foreign tourists alike.”

“As a member of the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries I have taken a keen interest in the potential for the further development of angling as both a sport and a lure for tourism.”

“Rural Ireland is crying out for investment and for job opportunities. The development of sustainable tourism, based on our greatest natural assets, would be a fantastic boon for rural communities, not least here in Co. Tipperary.”

“I will continue to work alongside Cllr. Martin Browne and with all stakeholders to work towards a sustainable, clean and vibrant tourism offering for anglers that benefits the community and rural economy.”

Cllr Martin Browne adds: “In one of the most historic and one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland, we have a significant opportunity in terms of a unique angling experience. The potential of tourism has never been doubted, and I compliment the members of Cashel/Golden Anglers Association on their work. We received a short tour from Owen Jackman who is Secretary of the Association and were impressed with the commitment of the Association to maintaining the environment.”

“The potential for employment in any environmentally friendly tourism industry should not be overlooked.”